This is my very talented Aunty painting a picture on their new dunny door at their daughter’s place.
Things are never plain with my Aunty Di. Her house is full of photos and her toilet at home (outside dunny) is full of rubber spiders, mice, snakes, plants and paintings on the door and walls. For a newcomer it can be quite an experience.
It truly is a great Australian Dunny.
Who needs computer games when you have other things to do outside. My kids are having a ball with the neighbours’ kids out the back in the bush.
They have the hill, the fort, and they were also running around playing hide and seek in the long grass from Blake who was trying to find them in the go-kart.
Where we are we never have to worry about them. They have their tracks through the bush and cubbies built everywhere. It’s the best thing for the kids and its free!
I played golf on the weekend. (Can I play? … not really, but the walk is amazing around the rocks.)
Anyway this is our number 16 tee where I found this bunch of spider orchids.
I’ve never seen so many together and these were smaller than the those I normally find.
They didn’t come out really clear in the photo, but I was late for the mail run and didn’t have time to check the quality.
And the donkey orchids were out everywhere too. Just beautiful.
We are slowly moving into warmer weather but, hopefully, the rain will keep coming.
I haven’t seen much canola planted around our area, not along the road side anyway. But when we got near Cunderdin and Dowerin there were heaps of canola crops.
Their yellow flowers are a sight to see, especially next to a dark green wheat crop. You can’t help feeling very Aussie with the green and gold.
You always know when you’re near a canola crop, you smell it first. Not the best of smells, but one that reminds you you’re still in the country.
And for anyone interested — I reached 52,000 words today on the new book. I could say I’m halfway, I reckon.
Not sure if this will be a big as the last book … or bigger. One never knows!
Ah … my mum and dad hard at it setting up! They were my roadies! (Mind you my dad and my hubby Das spent the two days cruising around the field day, they said it was huge!).
I meet lots of wonderful people, old friends and work colleagues. But the best was hearing from those who’d already read the book who came up to chat.
It was great meeting them and hearing what they thought about The Family Farm. I even got the laptop out and typed out half a chapter when it was quiet!
Oh, and I hope the poor chap who grabbed a heap of books for his bookclub doesn’t get picked on too bad for his choice of book – as the majority is men and they usually prefer a male writer, but I told him it had a love scene and plenty of farming, so hopefully they approve! Love to hear what the fellas all thought.
So all in all it was a great two days (but must admit I enjoyed getting home … those tiny porta loo’s aren’t much chop!)
Thanks to all who came and grabbed a book and had a chat.
We trekked up to Dowerin, borrowed caravan in tow and met up with my parents, who’d just come back down from a little trip up north to visit some relatives in Geraldton and Northampton, and some other friends who had already set up camp with a roaring fire and cold drinks.
Here’s dad, left, cooking our dinner by his handheld light.
They were two very cold nights so we huddled by the fire for warmth and listened to Terry and Geoff’s chook/internet idea. (Still think there’s a lot more research to be done!).
We had fellow exhibitors pop over for a few drinks and a chat. It was great to meet people from all over the place!
I’m going up to the Dowerin Field Days this year on August 26-27. I’ve never been before and can’t wait to check it out.
I will have a stand in the Lifestyles Pavilion site 12, (selling & signing books of course) so if anyone is up that way for it come and see me at the stand. Should be a great couple of days!
I’m hoping to get time to have a look around myself and see what’s on offer. Hope to see you there.
On my way to Perth for an appointment, I was driving through Brookton near my cousins farm and saw the most beautiful morning sight as the fog sat through the land.
Its quite hilly around Brookton, well compared to Pingaring anyway, and the fog was just in these little low-lying patches and was amazing to see.
I tried to take a few pictures but was running late and only managed this one, which doesn’t do what I saw any justice.
My aunty emailed me this photo the other day and its just too cute.
It was taken during the 2007/08 harvest and my son Blake just wanted to help his uncle Mocka fix the header.
Funny how kids think by them touching it, it will magically work!! If only.
Well we had the bonfire, but it was a really cold night so we cheated and put it close to the veranda so we had shelter.
We will save the dead tree out the back for another night.
As you can see the marshmallows were a big hit as usual.
